Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner received a rousing reception at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool as she reiterated the party’s commitment to transforming workers’ rights.
In her speech, Rayner vowed to repeal “Tory anti-worker” laws and implement new legislation within 100 days of taking power, promising a “new deal” for working people.
However, as the Labour government approaches the one-month countdown to that deadline, tensions are brewing behind the scenes. Negotiations between Labour ministers and trade unions have exposed the complexities involved in translating campaign promises into concrete policy.
While Labour members cheered Rayner’s speech, one insider with sympathy to the party’s goals warned: “A timetable isn’t a policy.”
Unions Divided Over Details
Although unions universally welcome the repeal of Conservative laws, such as restrictions on strike ballots and minimum service levels during industrial action, disagreements persist over the fine print of Labour’s proposed reforms.
Numerous discussions—some held via Zoom—have already taken place between ministers, union officials, and business leaders. However, an anticipated summit between Rayner, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, and union leaders just before the conference failed to materialise.
Jonathan Reynolds, however, reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to the 100-day deadline, stating on Sunday: “We will stick to that,” adding that the government is working to ensure the new laws are implemented in a way that benefits both unions and businesses.
Key Sticking Points
Several unresolved issues remain at the heart of the ongoing negotiations. One major point of contention is Labour’s promise to grant certain workers’ rights, such as parental leave and sick pay, from “day one” of employment. Currently, parental leave requires a six-month qualifying period, but what exactly constitutes “day one” remains unclear. Unions and employers alike are concerned about the length of probation periods, with proposals ranging from three months to as long as two years.
Another divisive topic is Labour’s pledge to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts. Some unions fear loopholes may allow employers to refuse regular contracts or deny requests for flexible working hours. Unite, one of the largest trade unions, has voiced skepticism about Labour’s stance on “fire and rehire” practices, questioning whether the proposed restrictions will be robust enough to prevent employers from cutting pay and conditions under the guise of business viability.
Concerns Over Timeline and Scope
Some unions argue that Labour’s 100-day deadline for new employment legislation is overly ambitious. Sources involved in the discussions predict that some issues, including pay equality, may be deferred for further consultation. Despite existing legislation on equal pay, the gender pay gap persists, and resolving it remains a formidable challenge. Labour’s Treasury team, led by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is closely scrutinising the financial implications of these reforms, especially as local councils struggle with pay claims brought by unions.
Balancing Pro-Worker and Pro-Business Agendas
Labour’s leadership, particularly Reynolds and Rayner, faces the difficult task of balancing the party’s pro-worker stance with its pledge to be pro-business. Rayner has been at the forefront of negotiations with unions, while Reynolds is focused on ensuring that the new legislation benefits all sectors of society.
Whatever the outcome of these negotiations, there is little doubt that the new legislation will mark a significant shift in the balance of power between workers and employers. Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell has confirmed that the government is “working at pace” to deliver on its promises, though some insiders suggest that the scale of work required may force ministers to breach existing working time directives themselves.
With the clock ticking, Labour’s much-touted reforms may be a step forward for workers, but some unions are still pushing for a giant leap.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
